AHA News: Mouth Bacteria Found in Stroke Patients' Brains

THURSDAY, May 23, 2019 (American Heart Association News) -- Bacteria commonly seen in the mouth has been found in the brains of people who have had a stroke, a new study shows.

The Finnish research group behind the new findings has been studying a possible association between bacterial infections and cardiovascular disease for more than 10 years. Their study, published May 23 in the Journal of the American Heart Association, looked for signs of bacteria in blood clots removed from 75 patients who were treated for an ischemic stroke at Tampere University Hospital in Finland between 2013 and 2017.

Aspirin, Anti-Clotting Meds Safe After Bleeding Stroke: Study

WEDNESDAY, May 22, 2019 -- Taking aspirin or anti-clotting medicines like Plavix won't boost the risk of another stroke if you've already survived a bleeding stroke, a new study suggests.

In fact, they might even help guard against a second brain bleed, the researchers noted.

Nerve Stimulation May Help Curb Stroke Damage

FRIDAY, May 24, 2019 -- Could electrical stimulation of nerves that sit behind your nose help limit the harm done to your brain by a stroke?

New research suggests it's possible. In early experiments, blood flow to the brain was increased by widening undamaged arteries and bypassing the clot. This delivered oxygen-rich blood to threatened areas of the brain.

AHA News: Study Finds Higher Risk of Stroke-Linked Plaque in Men, Possible Test for Women

THURSDAY, May 16, 2019 (American Heart Association News) -- Men are more likely than women to develop unstable plaques in their neck arteries, a dangerous condition that can lead to strokes, according to new research that also identified a helpful warning sign for rupture-prone plaques in women.

The preliminary study, presented Thursday at the American Heart Association's Vascular Discovery Scientific Sessions, sought to identify sex-specific markers of plaque instability in patients with severe carotid atherosclerosis, or fatty deposits in the neck arteries that supply blood to the brain.

Take Steps to Prevent a Stroke

THURSDAY, May 9, 2019 -- Strokes are common but not inevitable. There are ways you can reduce your risk, starting with your blood pressure.

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of permanent disability, said Dr. Gary Bernardini, neurology chair at New York-Presbyterian Hospital Queens.

You Can Cut Your Odds for an Aortic Aneurysm

MONDAY, April 22, 2019 -- People at risk for an aortic aneurysm should get screened for the life-threatening condition, an expert says.

Aortic aneurysms are balloon-like bulges that can develop anywhere along the aorta, which runs from your heart through your chest and abdomen. An untreated aneurysm can grow until it ruptures or causes a tear between the layers of the artery, also called a dissection.